Royal Head
ca. 1352-1332 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
In Egyptian art, one symbol could represent both a trait and its opposite. The hippopotamus could represent great danger and chaos or, alternatively, fertility and protection in childbirth. The statuette of a male hippopotamus could represent the god Seth, who embodied danger, chaos, and disorder in the world. Yet the rare limestone statuette of hippopotami mating perhaps served as a symbol that preserved the fertility of the earth. And a necklace consisting of images of the female hippopotamus goddess Taweret could protect a woman in labor.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Limestone, pigment
- Locations
- Possible place collected: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt
- Dynasty
- Dynasty 18
- Dimensions
- 1 3/4 x 2 1/16 x 2 7/16 in. (4.5 x 5.2 x 6.2 cm)
- Accession Number
- 86.226.20
- Credit Line
- Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
- Exhibitions
- Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Ancient Egyptian Art
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
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